Former Defence Minister George Fernandes passed on Tuesday morning, January 29, following prolong illness. Aged 88, Fernandes, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, had swine flu for the last few days.
According to the reports, the family is awaiting his son Sean Fernandes’ arrival from the United States to proceed with funeral arrangements. Funeral to be held in New Delhi.
As the news broke, nation started pouring in their condolences.
Leading the tributes was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who penned a poignant testimonial to the veteran leader in a series of tweets.
George Sahab represented the best of India’s political leadership.
Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised.
Saddened by his passing away.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019
When we think of Mr. George Fernandes, we remember most notably the fiery trade union leader who fought for justice, the leader who could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings, a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019
During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019
Meanwhile, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi offered condolences through a Facebook post. “I’m sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief,” he said.
A brief look into journey of George Fernandes
Fernandes served as the defence minister in the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpyee between 1998 and 2004. A veteran parliamentarian, George served several times as a Union Cabinet Minister, holding portfolios such as communications, industry, and railways, besides defence.
Fernandes was born in Mangalore in Karnataka in 1930 and was training to be a Roman Catholic priest when he was drawn to trade union politics.
He rose to prominence after his surprise victory in the 1967 parliamentary elections, over a Congress veteran in Mumbai.
He rose to fame as an anti-Emergency crusader and civil rights activists. During the 1975 Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government, George Fernandes was arrested for what was dubbed the “Baroda Dynamite Conspiracy” to blow up government establishments and railway tracks. He contested the 1977 election from jail and won the Muzaffarpur constituency in Bihar by a landslide.
George Fernandes became a hero of the Emergency. He was made minister when the Janata Party came to power in 1977 with Morarji Desai as Prime Minister. One of his prominent acts at the time was to force the exit of Coca Cola and IBM, which had refused to dilute their stake in their Indian associates. Coke left India and returned only two decades later.
Fernandes stepped down as the Defence Minister in 2004 after ‘coffin gate’ broke out. He was later absolved by two commissions of inquiry
